National Republican., 1887-08-06
virgInia Democratic Convention.

The Virginia Democrats met In conven-
tion on Thursday last at Roanoke, and
adopted the platform which was manu-.
featured here within view Of the white
house for use in the Old Dominion. Back
IN the dim and 0is,aut ages, tradition tells
us tkRt Democratic platforms expressed
positive opinions upon subjects, but the
people Of tLis generation only know this by
l!ttory ard tradition. No such things are
found In Democratic platforms now. They
are generally sklllfully constructed pieces
Of mCsac work after the fashion OF the
crazy guilt, into which every remnant OF
political IDEAS Is dovetailed for tho sole
purpose Of catching votes.
No expert with needle, with all the
honors OF prize at county fair, and the
admiration or envy Of all the neghbors,
ever did finer piece Of patchwork than
that accomplished by the caucus at Wash
ineton, which for the past two weeks has
been engaged in preparing such platform,
for Virginia Democrats to iopt, as the al
mlnistration desired for use In the next
national campaign. 1t is lngenuously con
structed to suit every taste and captivate
every eye, and its artiilcers would deserve
great praise II they had been sklllful
enough, as some crazy quiltmakers are, to
conceal the seams.
The Hon. John S. Barbour evidently en-
tered upon the work OF the convention
with some misgivlngs. He knew the
diversity OF sentiment among Virginia
Democrats upon almost every question that
the platform spoke upon, from the iud ,rse-
ment Of Cleveland and the civil service to
the praise Of FitzAugh Lee and the protec-
tion of oysters, aud although there was "a
sop for (every) Cerberus," he was afraid
that each one might object to the bones
thrown to others. Hence he opened the
convention by reading speech so diplo
matte that were 1t not for the conceded
ability OF the distinguished chairman of th
Virginia Democracy the authorship OF that
speech might be assigned to the writer oi
the wonderfully diplomatic inaugural OF
President Cleveland.
But, Notwithstanding the fears and trem
blings OF the distinguished chairman, sal
went merry as a marriage bell.n Every
speaker eulogized Cleveland In turn, each
endeavorlng to outdo the other 10 the full
soneness OF his praise All the notes o.
the gamut were struck, from the pipInl
falsetto to the blsso pro'uldl, the litte
being given by ex-CongresSmln JOIN +.
Harris He said OF Cleveland
He has the name of Andrew Jackson, tn,
philosophy OF franklin, AMI the stRtesm tn,hlI
Of Jeltson. | never saw sulh min. II
looks unlike any man ever saw. nm ! NJ ma
ever saw looks lkn him NOBODY know
what he Is going n do. He IN lrGhe' on In tht
even tenor of his way, but he z It's there jI't CO.
same. lGreat lhughtgrI lie has as mugI
brain as any two incu ought TO have an
as much body rs any thrHr. lIl' fjnn idtion |
70 firm that all hi and the bi eek RrpuIllcan
coulon't trip him up. [lrnshtcr ald appllu q.
j never heard OF his tGrnins Ous aHy lOi
aud yet there is not Il Re. ,ub iilp officer
Virginia today, lrremendois applause Fll
Is one of his peculiar methods. daughter.
Where are those ogNGials nov? "a voice
"Gone glimm ring, Tes gone glinmtrin.
ccwn the tide Of tImeIo return, let US hope, II
more. Prolonged npplHu'c.l
Ex.Congressman Harris was awarded tn,
cake as euloglst, AMI stakel round a
proud as a peacock, Each one Of th,
speakers held a little concealed dagger II
bis left hand, and ms the right waved tn,
banner Of Cleveland alOft the dagger In TIN
left was inserted into the body Of civil ser
vice reform us deftly us Senator Daniel
while praising Chairman Barbour thre,
years ego, slew his political ambition.
After the speaking came the remtrkabl,
platform. or course ths adoption OF
platform already sgreed upon before thr